Bluffton standoff ends peacefully

Bluffton officers responded to 21 Woods Bay Road on Wednesday on a report of an individual, Anthony Valentino, who was threatening to harm himself as well as law enforcement officers who were trying to assist him.

Officers on the scene were unable to make contact with the suspect and he refused to answer the door. Police contacted several relatives of Valentino who verified that he was threatening to harm any law enforcement officer. These family members also advised officers that Valentino had access to multiple guns to include an assault rifle.

Bluffton police as well as members from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and negotiations team arrived on scene. The surrounding houses were cleared of all residents to assure that they were out of harm’s way.

The Beaufort County Negotiations Team was able to establish contact with Valentino and he eventually agreed to turn himself over to police custody. Valentino was taken into custody via an order of detention from probate court.

Officers executed a search warrant on Valentino’s home. There were several weapons found inside the home to include an assault rifle, sniper rifle, and several handguns. The sniper rifle was located near a window on the second floor to Valentino’s home. All weapons were removed from Valentino’s home and have been secured at the Bluffton Police Department for safe keeping.